Can it be that it is Back-to-School time already? In fact, it is sooner than you think. The Second Annual Back to School Bash for Princeton ISD is Saturday, August 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Clark Junior High, 301 Panther Parkway, Princeton. The Bash is organized by Christ UMC, which is a new church start in Princeton. I am proud that we can help our sister church make a big difference in their community.

I hope you will join me as a volunteer at the Bash on Saturday, August 8. Contact Cariby email to pick a time to work. Or you can help fill the backpacks on Thursday and/or Friday evenings, August 6th and 7th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Clark Junior High. Many of these school supplies will go to the children of Harper Elementary.

Mentoring at Harper Elementary in Princeton will start up again right after Labor Day. This year required training for all mentors, tutors, and teacher helpers will be held at Harper Elementary on Sunday, August 16 and again on Sunday, August 23 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Click herefor more information on dates, times, and volunteer positions available for the 2015/2016 school year.

I am excited that this year volunteer opportunities have expanded to include Breakfast with a Student at 7:30 a.m. How wonderful that you can develop an ongoing relationship with a student and still make it to work on time!

Here at Good Shepherd UMC we are celebrating Back-to-School Sunday with a Blessing of the Backpacks during worship on Sunday, August 23 followed by a salad pot-luck and ice cream social. Then we will participate in the United Methodist area-wide Prayer Walk. Members of at least 6 United Methodist Churches from Lucas, Allen, Fairview, and Princeton will go to an elementary or secondary school to walk around the school grounds and pray for the students, teachers, and staff of that school. Our goal is for every school in these school districts to be covered in prayer. Our sanctuary will be open that afternoon for anyone to pray who is unable to walk around the school.

I praise God that our churches are working together in supporting our community schools and the essential they have on the lives of children.